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prick·le

(prĭkəl)

a. A small hard pointed outgrowth of the epidermis of a plant, in contrast to a modified plant organ such as a spine or thorn.

b. A spine, thorn, or other small sharp structure.

2. A tingling or pricking sensation: felt prickles in my leg after sitting for so long.

v. prick·led, prick·ling, prick·les

v.intr.

1. To feel a tingling or pricking sensation: His skin prickled with fear.

2. To rise or stand up like prickles: The hair on my neck prickled.

v.tr.

To cause a tingling or pricking sensation in: Tears prickled my eyes.

[Middle English prikel, from Old English pricel.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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